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Microsoft to Add Option to Disable Copilot Floating Button in Office Apps
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Briefly Editorial Team

Microsoft to Add Option to Disable Copilot Floating Button in Office Apps

TL;DR

  • •Users can disable the floating Copilot button in Office.
  • •The button will be moved to the ribbon toolbar for better usability.
  • •Changes follow earlier Copilot UI reductions in Windows 11.

Why it matters

This update addresses user complaints, enhancing interface control and reducing distractions in professional software.

Office Interface Update

Microsoft announced an upcoming update for Office applications that will allow users to disable the floating Copilot AI assistant button. This interface element, recently introduced in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, caused frustration—particularly in Excel, where it overlapped cells and couldn't be fully disabled.

User Feedback

According to Catherine Kivett, Microsoft's product manager, the company observed user requests for greater control over Copilot's visibility. In the short term, Microsoft will offer the ability to move the button to the ribbon toolbar, preventing it from floating over documents.

Windows 11 UI Streamlining

This decision follows earlier changes where Microsoft began removing unnecessary Copilot buttons from various Windows 11 applications. These steps reflect Microsoft's focus on minimizing distracting UI elements.